A Proposed Quantum Hamiltonian Encoding Framework for Time Evolution Operator Design of Potential Energy Function

The exploration of potential energy operators in quantum systems holds paramount significance, offering profound insights into atomic behaviour, defining interactions, and enabling precise prediction of molecular dynamics. By embracing the Born-Oppenheimer picture, we delve into the intricate quantum evolution due to potential energy, facilitating accurate modelling and simulation of atomic phenomena with improved quantum fidelity. This research delves into time evolution operation due to potential energy functions for applications spanning quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics. Challenges in practical implementation, encompassing the formidable curse of dimensionality and intricate entangled interactions, are thoughtfully examined. Drawing upon seminal works, we lay a robust foundation for comprehensive investigations into potential energy landscapes with two proposed algorithms. In one methodology, we have shown a systematic decomposition of the potential energy function into Hadamard bases with composite construction of Pauli-Z, identity and RZ gates which can construct the unitary time evolution operator corresponding to the potential energy with a very high fidelity. The other method is a trade-off between complexity and fidelity, where we propose a novel quantum framework that can reduce the gate complexity from {\Theta}(2n) to {\Theta}(nCr ) (for some r < n). The proposed quantum algorithms are capable of efficiently simulating potential energy operators. The algorithms were implemented in simulators and IBM quantum hardware to prove their efficac

Unilateral variation in the position of internal and external carotid arteries

During the routine dissection of the neck region of a 77 years old male cadaver in the Department of Anatomy at Bankura Sammilani Medical College, a unilateral variation in the position and course of internal and external carotid arteries was noticed on the right side of neck. The internal carotid artery was anteromedial to the external carotid artery at the site of bifurcation of the common carotid artery. Knowledge of variation in the course and relation of internal and external carotid arteries is important for surgeons to perform neck surgery and also for the radiologists to interpret carotid system imaging

A Study on Axillary Artery and its Branching Pattern among the Population of West Bengal, India

Variations in the branching pattern of the axillary artery have paramount importance among anatomists, surgeons and radiologists. A study was conducted on this topic in Kolkata, among the people of West Bengal, a state of India. The upper limbs of 70 cadavers were dissected bilaterally at the Department of Anatomy, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, between 2008 and 2011. Among the study population, 52 cadavers (74.3%) were male and the rest were female, with average age 62.01 years (standard deviation = 6.58) and average height 1.59 meter (standard deviation = 0.096) respectively. The mean length of the axillary artery was 10.15 cm (standard deviation = 1.056). The superior thoracic, thoracoacromial and subscapular arteries were found to be constant branches of the axillary artery while the other branches showed considerable variations. Among those constant branches a high, significant correlation was found between the distance of origin of thoracoacromial artery from the outer border of the 1st rib and the length of the axillary artery, for the right and respectively the left upper limb of male cadavers. In females it showed a moderate, albeit significant correlation only. Similarly, the length of the axillary artery established a moderate correlation with the distance of origin of the superior thoracic and of the subscapular arteries on the right side of female cadavers. No other significant correlation was obtained

Increased toll-like receptor-2 expression on nonclassic CD16⁺monocytes from patients with inflammatory stage of eales' disease

Purpose.: To identify the distribution, differential Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression, and functional contribution of monocyte subpopulations in the inflammatory stage of Eales' disease (ED). Methods.: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from nine patients during the inflammatory stage of ED and nine age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The expression of CD14, CD16, TLR-2, and TLR-4 on monocytes was measured by flow cytometry. The CD14+, CD16−, and CD16+ monocyte populations were sorted on the basis of magnetic-activated cell-sorting methodology, and levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA. Results.: In ED patients, the number of circulating monocytes was significantly expanded compared with that in controls (P = 0.01), with a marked increase in the nonclassic CD16+ subset, which showed an activated phenotype in patients that correlated with levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines and clinical progression. A higher expression of cell surface TLR-2 (P = 0.02), but not TLR-4, was found in monocytes of patients with ED. Furthermore, TLR-2 was expressed at higher levels on CD16+ monocytes than on CD16− monocytes in patients, whereas no significant variation was found in TLR-4 expression on different monocyte subsets. Peptidoglycan-induced TNF-α expression correlated with TLR-2 expression in monocytes isolated from controls (r = 0.85, P = 0.0061), but not in monocytes isolated from ED patients (r = 0.553, P = 0.1328). Conclusions.: These results indicate that in the pathogenesis of ED, TLR activation and increased numbers of nonclassic CD16+ monocytes are crucial regulators, along with the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines that perpetuate the inflammatory process in the retina

A 12-month prospective real-life study of opicapone efficacy and tolerability in Emirati and non-White subjects with Parkinson's disease based in United Arab Emirates

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, and the condition is complicated by the emergence of wearing off/motor fluctuations with levodopa treatment after a variable period. COMT inhibitors when used as adjunct therapy to levodopa tend to smoothen out these wearing off fluctuations by enhancing delivery of levodopa and increasing its bioavailability to the brain. The study was conducted to investigate the motor and nonmotor effect, safety and tolerability of the third generation once-daily COMT inhibitor (opicapone), as add-on, adjuvant therapy to levodopa and at 6 and 12 months follow-up in a real-life cohort of consecutive Emirati and non-White PD patients. A real-life observational analysis using tolerability parameters as used previously by Rizos et al. and Shulman et al. based on clinical database of cases rat Kings College Hospital Dubai Parkinson care database. This was a prospective, single-arm follow-up clinical evaluation study that evaluated the effectiveness of opicapone 50 mg once-daily regime in 50 patients diagnosed with idiopathic neurodegenerative disorder. All patients were assessed with scales used in clinical pathway and include motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), nonmotor symptom scale (NMSS), quality of life (PDQ8) Parkinson's fatigue scale (PFS16) and King's Parkinson's Pain Scale (KIPS). Out of 50 patients treated with opicapone (72% male, mean age 66.9 years (SD 9.9, range 41-82 years) and mean duration of disease 5.7 years (SD 2.5 range (2-11), there was significant statistical improvements shown in motor function-UPDRS part 3: baseline 40.64 ± 2.7, at 6 months 32.12 ± 3.14 and after 12 months 33.72 ± 3.76. Nonmotor burden NMSS: 107.00 ± 21.86, at 6 months 100.78 ± 17.28 and 12 months 96.88 ± 16.11. Reduction in dyskinesias (UPDRS part 4): baseline 8.78 ± 1.07, at 6 months 7.4 ± 0.81 and 12 months 6.82 ± 0.75. Opicapone provides beneficial motor and nonmotor effects in Emirati and other non-White Parkinson's patients, resident in UAE, proving its efficacy across different racial groups as COMT activity may vary between races.S

Multiplex PCR technique could be an alternative approach for early detection of leprosy among close contacts - a pilot study from India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Implementation of Multi drug Therapy (MDT) regimen has resulted in the decline of the total number of leprosy cases in the world. Though the prevalence rate has been declining, the incidence rate remains more or less constant and high in South East Asian countries particularly in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Srilanka. Leprosy, particularly that of multibacillary type spreads silently before it is clinically detected. An early detection and treatment would help to prevent transmission in the community. Multiplex PCR (M-PCR) technique appears to be promising towards early detection among contacts of leprosy cases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 234 paucibacillary (PB) and 205 multibacillary (MB) leprosy cases were studied in a community of an endemic area of Bankura district of West Bengal (Eastern India). They were assessed by smear examination for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and M-PCR technique. These patients were treated with Multidrug Therapy (MDT) as prescribed by WHO following detection. A total of 110 MB and 72 PB contacts were studied by performing M-PCR in their nasal swab samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>83.4% of MB patients were observed to be positive by smear examination for AFB and 89.2% by M-PCR. While 22.2% of PB patients were found to be positive by smear examination for AFB, 80.3% of these patients were positive by M-PCR. Among leprosy contacts (using M-PCR), 10.9% were found to be positive among MB contacts and 1.3% among PB contacts. Interestingly, two contacts of M-PCR positive MB cases developed leprosy during the period of two years follow up.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The M-PCR technique appears to be an efficient tool for early detection of leprosy cases in community based contact tracing amongst close associates of PB and MB cases. Early contact tracing using a molecular biology tool can be of great help in curbing the incidence of leprosy further.</p

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity &gt; 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI